Miguel Melibosky

33rd Avenue

Alicante

The Editor

Anytown News

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter regarding to Anne Other’s letter. Anne Other expressed her conviction
about uniforms in school, defining them as a “clear and coherent rule, easy to follow and
to enforce” and stating, at the same time, the negative impact that the informal “come as
you like” attitude has brought to her town. I would like to use this occasion to share my
personal viewpoint, which partially concurs with Anne Other’s opinion. According to her, the
only time in which children learn values occur when they wear school uniforms.

As for the first point, as expressed by Anne Other, it seems to me that in certain way school
uniforms promote values which help them to feel that they are all equal in the classroom. I
hold the view, that dress codes hide in schools the economic and social differences that
could be between students. As a result, to a certain extent, discrimination is eradicated
generating a “peaceful atmosphere” where everyone is comfortable.

Closely related with this point is the fact that school uniforms serve as a safety net for
children in out-school activities. I have the strong opinion that especially when they
participate in excursions, uniforms favour a better control making it easier to identify them
as they have the same clothes. Therefore, the risk of losing a child decreases.

As for the third point, I strongly agree that uniforms are so much cheaper than regular
teenage clothes. This is because, albeit schools do not subsidize in any way to those who can’t
afford a uniform, some students who, either by size or by excess of uniforms, don’t need
them and give them to other students. In addition, this is also favouring those families with
many children who thanks to the durable material of which uniforms are usually made, use
the same uniforms among siblings. In consequence, they are not only saving money, but they
are also contributing to the planet’s well-being.
There is some stringent research related with this issue that leads me to affirm that other
plus point about uniforms is that they improve the school performance of students. As there
aren’t differences between their clothes, students have less distractions and will comment
about the kind of clothes that someone wears. This generally would mean, some help for
them to be more productive.

Finally, for the last point, with this kind of dress code schools are creating a sense of
belonging. As they allow students to feel proud about the school in which they are growing
and learning. Obviously, this further strengthens the group and motivates the students to
continue their efforts.

I wish to close my letter stating that we are not aware of the significant role that dress
codes play in education and in children’s mood. Students believe that uniforms are
something useless and uncomfortable that obstructs their creativity and curtails their
freedoms. It is essential for all students to wear the same clothes to school at any age
because this way there are no comparisons between one and the other. In short, schools that
"force" their students to wear uniforms are instilling values of equality among them all.

I will be grateful if my points will be taken into consideration. In case of further comments,
I will be glad to provide them if you contact me by email at
miguel.melibosky.perez@gmail.com

Yours faithfully.